(Dan Tri) – Russia criticized the US for hypocrisy in opposing the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) investigation into Israel but supporting the arrest of President Vladimir Putin.
Russian President Vladimir Putin (Photo: Reuters).
`Washington fully supports, if not encourages, the ICC issuing an arrest warrant for the Russian leader. However, the US political system does not recognize the legitimacy of this court in matters related to
According to Ms. Zakharova, such a view is `intellectually absurd`.
The statement of the Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman was made after the US news agency NBC News on April 29 quoted an Israeli official as saying that an ICC arrest warrant may be issued for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The ICC – the body that can charge individuals with war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide – is investigating the attack on Israel by Hamas forces on October 7, 2023 and the devastating military campaign.
White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre said on April 29 that the US does not support the ICC investigation into Israel and does not believe that the court has jurisdiction.
ICC does not confirm or deny the above information.
Israel is not a member of the ICC and does not recognize its jurisdiction.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said any decision by the ICC would not affect Israel’s military campaign, but would set a dangerous precedent.
Last March, the ICC issued an arrest warrant for President Vladimir Putin and Russia’s Commissioner for Children’s Rights Maria Lvova-Belova on charges of `illegal deportation of children and illegal transfer of children from
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Russia is not a party to the Rome Statute establishing the ICC, so Moscow does not recognize the ICC’s arrest warrant.
Russia signed the Rome Statute of the ICC in 2000, but never ratified it to become a member of the ICC and eventually withdrew its signing in 2016.
The Kremlin considered those orders outrageous at the time and rejected the ICC order.
The Russian Investigative Committee announced that it will open a criminal investigation against ICC judges and prosecutors.
While protesting the arrest of the Israeli prime minister, US President Joe Biden’s administration said the ICC’s decision to issue an arrest warrant for President Putin was legal.
